We are ready to take back govt, says new Sabah coalition

(FMT) – Sabah opposition leaders today joined forces to form an alliance called Gabungan Bersatu Sabah (GBS).

Announcing this here today, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the alliance comprises PBS, Sabah Umno, Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

The new partnership, he said, aimed to fight for full autonomy for Sabah and to protect its rights stipulated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“The formation of GBS is crucial as an umbrella for assemblymen of political parties which were part of the legitimate state government led by Musa Aman and, most importantly, remain united in the pursuit to fight for justice for the rightful chief minister.

“We are ready to take over from the existing illegitimate government.

“We also want to ensure Malaysia and Sabah remain harmonious and united, and improve the state’s socio-economic development,” he said.

Former chief minister Musa Aman is challenging the validity of Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s appointment by Sabah governor Juhar Mahiruddin as chief minister following the May 9 polls.

Lawyers from both sides will make oral submissions and arguments tomorrow in the High Court here on the originating summons in the dispute over who is the rightful chief minister of Sabah.

Pairin said GBS was finalising its formal constitution and mode of conduct, and that the four parties had agreed to appoint him as the interim chairman with heads of the other parties as deputy chairmen.

These were Maximus Ongkili of PBS, Hajiji Noor of Sabah Umno, Jeffrey Kitingan of STAR, and Joseph Kurup of PBRS.

Also appointed deputy chairmen were Anifah Aman, who represents the independent assemblymen and MPs, and former federal minister Salleh Said Keruak.

Masidi Manjun has been appointed the secretary-general with Joniston Bangkuai as the information chief. The treasurer will be appointed at a later date.

Pairin said the alliance would cooperate with the current federal government for the good of Sabah by addressing the fears and concerns of Sabahans.

“Five months into power, the Warisan state government has created nothing but a mess in Sabah, showing its incapability of running the government, with many U-turns and flip flop policies.

“The Warisan government has also misplaced its priorities by focusing on illegal immigrants instead of prioritising Sabahans.”

Among the priorities for GBS will be to establish a bi-partisan select committee in the state legislative assembly to deal with MA63, oil and gas, homeland security, undertake a census of foreign and transient populations in Sabah, devise a scheme to assist PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) students and establish a council of eminent persons in Sabah to review mega projects such as the Kaiduan Dam.

Commenting on Umno’s position in the alliance, Sabah Umno chief Hajiji Noor said the party was looking to the future although it had yet to receive “full consent” from its headquarters to be fully autonomous.

“Currently, the registration process is ongoing but we agree that Musa and Pairin will both have significant roles to play in GBS,” he said.

Masidi, who is also Sabah Umno secretary, said the alliance was to show to the people of Sabah a new political culture in which no single party was dominant over other parties.

“In the past, it was said that Umno dominated all other parties within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. So, we want to do away with that and make sure that all parties will have their fair share in this new coalition,” he said.

On whether joining GBS would create a conflict of interest with national Umno in the future, Masidi said they would prefer to focus on rebuilding the team first.

Jeffrey said: “All leaders from all component parties will work together as a team. They will all be leading the alliance.”